Tag: military

President Donald Trump dropped a hell of bombshell on Twitter this morning. He announced his decision, made alongside generals and military experts, that the U.S. Government will be banning Transgender individuals from joining the armed forces.

Naturally, I was immediately mortified. Why are we moving backwards? It takes a great deal of bravery and strength to risk one’s life and dedicate oneself to the military. Soldiers are patriots as they love their country so much that they are willing to die for it. Regardless what gender they identify as, the United States of America, the land of the free, should allow them to do so, if they meet all other requirements. I also despise his use of the “burdened”! Trans people are NOT a burden, Mr. President!

I was not alone in these feelings as many people, including celebrities, members of congress, veterans, civilians and Americans currently serving in the military, spoke out immediately against this decision.

Vote Vets, organized as a progressive political action committee and non-profitWomen’s March, a women-led movement providing intersectional education on a diverse range of issues and creating entry points for new grassroots activists & organizers to engage in their local communities through trainings, outreach programs and events.

“Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military — regardless of their gender identity. We should all be guided by the principle that any American who wants to serve our country and is able to meet the standards should have the opportunity to do so — and should be treated as the patriots they are.”

-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)

““Americans who are qualified and can meet the standards to serve in the military should be afforded that opportunity.”

-Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)

“I don’t think we should be discriminating against anyone. Transgender people are people, and deserve the best we can do for them.”

-Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)

One of my friends posted the below statement on Facebook:

And my co-worker read me this Facebook post from a friend of hers who currently serves in the military:

And let us not forget Kristen Beck, the Navy SEAL who was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for her time in the service. While she did not disclose at the time she served that she identified as female, she is transgender and she did what she was supposed to do and she did it well. She bravely said to Business Insider today, “Let’s meet face to face and you tell me I’m not worthy. Transgender doesn’t matter. Do your service.”

We’ve made it too far as a nation to start backtracking and how dare he tweet such nonsense.